Costa Rica: Sustainable Tropical Ecosystems

  Costa Rica

• San Jose: 
San Jose

Term: Winter 
Dates: Please contact us for more information

Description: This two week course provides students the opportunity to comprehend the relationship between Costa Rica's agricultural development and the sustainability of its tropical ecosystems.

Visits to small and large agricultural production facilities will be interfaced with visits to Costa Rica's natural ecosystems, including the Arenal volcano and Monteverde tropical rainforests. The latter includes an option to view the rainforest from literally a birds eye view via a suspended zip line. Site visits will often be physically demanding.

Students will be required to submit a detailed journal of their experiences and a PowerPoint presentation before faculty and students from the University of Costa Rica. A bus will transport the students throughout the itinerary, picking them up in the morning and bringing them back to their evening lodging.

Students are required to attend a course-specific orientation session which will be held during the fall semester. They will be given web references to orient them to the culture and Costa Rica's ecosystems. Site visits in-country will include:

* agricultural research institutes
* cooperative organic farms
* commercial production facilities such as banana and pineapple plantations
* a pharmaceutical plant production facility
* botanical gardens
* Arenal Volcano national park
* volcanic hot springs
* Monteverde tropical rain forest
* Punta Leone, dry tropical rain forest
* a biological research center
* a cheese factory

Highlights: Why Costa Rica?

Despite its small size, Costa Rica possesses 5 percent of the world's total biodiversity, in part due to its position as a transition zone between South and North America, and a complex terracing of microclimates created by differences in altitude. With one of the most enlightened and dedicated approaches to conservation in the world, the country has made an impressive effort to preserve its natural resources. About 25 percent of the land is protected from further development. Costa Rica has become one of the prime eco-tourism destinations in the world, offering among other things, tropical rainforests, active volcanoes, rare and unique flora and fauna. The latter is vital to the economic sustainability of ecotourism.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: USD2,800

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Scholarships are Available. The Study Abroad Office offers partial scholarships for UM undergraduate students to aid with the cost of attending a Winter Term program. These scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement and financial need.

Application Process Involves:

• Essay
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Transcript
• Written Application